Learn a little about our new brand OTZshoes and why we love them!

The OTZshoes story

In 2005, Ludo, creative director of a leading athletic lifestyle brand, came across an article written by Petr Hlavacek describing the oldest shoes ever found. These belonged to Oetzi, the iceman, and dated back to 3300B.C. The shoes were quite remarkable considering the time period – made of deer skin stitched to a bear skin sole with an internal woven net filled with dried grass and moss for warmth and comfort. Inspired by Oetzi’s ingenuity, Ludo realized he could redesign this iconic shoe incorporating today’s trend, comfort and technology. Hence the concept of OeTZI3300 shoes was born.

Fast forward to May 2009, to a time when Ludo was bedridden for 2 weeks with herniated disks in his lower back. The only movement he could tolerate was going for a walk on the beach. The soft sand under his feet made his back feel better. For company on these walks he took Cowgirl, his French bulldog, who over the 2 weeks became acquainted with Spot, the splitting image of Cowgirl except that he was a Boston Terrier with reverse coloring. Spot’s owner Skip, a avid surfer who looking for a change from a 30 year law career, and Ludo walked and talked while Cowgirl and Spot became best friends.

At some point in these conversations the boys started talking about the business plan that Ludo had been working on over the prior 4 years and was near completion.

Ludo: “I’m looking for an investment partner that will help me build OeTZI3300″ a lifestyle shoe brand utilizing a cork footbed for comfort. As Ludo stated though: “I am very particular about whom I want to invest in this company. They need to be the perfect fit that can understand the philosophy of the brand and the many potential hurdles ahead.”

Skip: “I know an investor perfect for you.”

Ludo: “Who?”

Skip: “You’re looking at him!.. haha”

One week later on May 11th 2009, OeTZI3300 LLC was created with the addition of Skip’s childhood friend Peter (also as avid surfer) who relocated to Malibu after spending a lifetime in the Financial/Real Estate markets on the East coast.

The original team, including John Spillman as ” the salesman,” opened up the best sneaker boutiques in the USA including Bodega in Boston, Conveyer in Santa Monica and A-Team in Manhattan Beach just to name drop a few!!

In May 2010, Melissa arrived at her scheduled sales appointment at the “A-Team” sneaker store in Manhattan Beach, CA. She was there representing two athletic sneaker brands. The storeowner, Adrian, had an incredible wall installation that represented our brand and our story that depicts our uniqueness to the footwear industry. The sight of this stunning installation was a culmination of everything Melissa had sought in a brand. Upon putting on the OTZ-1low in sand, she had an epiphany. She knew that OeTZI3300 would be a brand that would revolutionize the industry, and Melissa knew that she had to be a part of Oetzi3300′s growth and journey. Adrian explained the origin of the company’s name to Melissa’s disbelief. The historic explanation drove her determination even further to become a part of this unique product. Following this experience, Melissa swiftly reached out to Oetzi3300 with an e-mail to express her deep instantaneous passion for the craft of the product and how she could become involved.

Melissa’s determination translated easily to John and Ludo who hired her on the spot the next day. The age-old cliché of a first impression being crucial is proven with Melissa’s experience. Her loyalty and confidence in the brand from its beginning has brought her to the position of National Sales Manager today. She has stood by Oetzi to ensure that consumers around the world can share the experience she had when first putting on the OTZ-1 low.

In such a short amount of time, and a slight shift in name from OeTZI3300 to OTZshoes, our brand has become recognized worldwide and gaining incredible momentum daily. We are a happy family of workers who share the same passion and intensity for this brand, and the footwear we create which utilizes our CORK footbed technology that is made to make you feet smile – true barefoot comfort.

CorkFit^®

CorkFit^® is our classic cork footbed made from cork and latex with a heel Pu cushion. The footbed is lined with a 1.8mm suede leather cover. This provides a firm ride that gradually moulds to the shape of your feet.

CorkLite^®

CorkLite^®is our lightweight soft cork footbed. It is made from a compression molded EVA form wrapped with a 1.8mm cork casing. The footbed is lined with a 1.8mm suede leather cover. This provides a softer cushioned ride that gradually molds to the shape of your feet.

A TRUE ORGANIC FIT

The antimicrobial properties of the cork reduces bacterial build up and allows you to wear the shoes with or without socks.

Browse our selection of OTZshoes at http://www.dardanos.com/otzshoes?sec=all

Browse our selection of handbags here

Browse our selection of socks here

Shop Bette K’s New feet here

Shop Osgoode Marley wallets here

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About The Frye Company

Founded in 1863 by John A. Frye, The Frye Company is the oldest continuously operated shoe company in the United States. Mr. Frye ran the business for nearly 50 years and after his death in 1911, his family continued to run the business until 1945.

Frye’s footwear has a long and illustrious history…

When homesteading sparked adventurous New England families to head West in the mid and late 1800s, many of those pioneers wore Frye boots along the journey.

 Frye’s Harness Boot is rooted in tradition and continues to draw inspiration from the American Cavalry. During a 1938 trip to Washington, D.C., John A. Frye’s grandson and namesake met a U.S. Navy Admiral who noted his difficulty in finding the Wellington styles he liked so much. As a favor, John agreed to make him a pair. Frye continued to fill these requests for boots through World War II.

By mail order, the company supplied thousands of servicemen with Frye Wellingtons, known as Jet Boots. Our boots traveled the world on the feet of American soldiers during the war — even General Patton wore a pair. Today our classic Harness Boot holds a treasured place in American culture, its has been featured in international fashion spreads, and enjoys strong sales all over the world.

In the 1960s, Frye re-introduced the Campus Boot based on its original 1860s original. The style featured a bulky toe and chunky heel that came to epitomize the attitude and the styles of the 60s and 70s. There was nothing like these “new” Frye boots on the market, and consumers began to demand “Original Fryes.” The Smithsonian Institute, in its search for items to best represent America during the Sixties, chose a pair of Fryes that proudly remain on display today.

The Frye brand remains true to its heritage and vintage American roots with finely crafted, fashionable boots, shoes and leather goods featuring rich leathers and quality hardware.

Dedicated to Quality Craftsmanship

The very first pair of Frye Boots was benchcrafted in 1863. What made them America’s best footwear back then still holds true as Frye’s quality is timeless. For almost 150 years, our leather products have continued to be benchcrafted from the finest full grain leather uppers with genuine leather and premium rubber soles. With our steadfast commitment and painstaking attention to detail, it takes more than 190 steps to make one pair of Frye boots.

Frye’s styles are timeless: From our heritage boots to newer styles that grow into old Frye classics, the look is ageless. From casual to dress to work, Frye offers something for everyone to be enjoyed over time. And what could be cuter than our Small Frye Collection?

Frye footwear can be seen equally on the streets of America’s bustling cities and towns, as well as on the feet of countless celebrities and in fashion magazines every month in the U.S. and abroad. A respected part of Americana, Frye proudly continues to hold an esteemed place in the forefront of American style.

 Browse our selection of Fryes here.

Jenny Fredericks and Jacqueline Van Dine – friends, mothers, athletes and industry veterans who share a work hard/play hard philosophy. Preferring trails over treadmills, they enjoy outside activities with friends and family as a way to unwind from life’s demands.

Unfortunately the outdoor industry offers only bulky and banal footwear that compromises their sense of style. They yearned for active products that made you look as good as you feel, and feel as good as you look.

Joined by Jim Van Dine, the three founders combined their passions by engineering performance shoes with modern organic aesthetics, on-trend designs and sleek, vibrant colors. By making “outdoor” more accessible, just as fun and a little less “agro,” they hope to inspire life of nature sufficiency.

With careful and intentional choices, they found a balance between fitness and fashion, performance and aesthetics, profit and philanthropy, and work and play. It was only fitting that they named their company after the Celtic goddess of balance between well being and prosperity.

Ahnu. Walk new ground.

Product Philosophy

Our product goal is to achieve uncompromising footwear performance. We work with leading biomechanists, designers and athletes to develop footwear that will provide the appropriate balance of traction, grip, flexibility, cushioning and durability for a variety of outdoor activities whether on trails, beaches or sidewalks.

Ahnu pioneered Numentum Technology; a neutral positioning system engineered to encourage your foot’s natural biomechanics. It is designed to center and guide the foot to promote an efficient, stable and balanced stride.

From our factory standards, to the use of certified post-consumer recycled fibers in our catalogs and packaging, our commitment is visible throughout all aspects of our brand.

Inspiration

At Ahnu we believe that collaboration inspires innovation and vice versa; and it shows in our teamwork and our products. We are a small team that works together, plays together and thrives on shared inspiration. That philosophy improves our results and adds to the fun.

We also draw inspiration from our company name. “Ahnu” derives from the goddess of balance and well-being in Celtic mythology. The choice is both deliberate and appropriate, as we balance work and play, as well as business goals with social and environmental responsibility.

Browse our selection of Ahnu shoes here.

Born from the desire to make a boot that would deliver explorers comfortably into the beauty of the great unknown, SOREL has been creating footwear for the fearless since 1962. As we forge forward from the frozen tundra into city streets, we translate the stunning landscapes that inspired our founders into a new generation of footwear that is fashionably bold, unapologetically daring and beautifully brave. Luxurious materials and flawless construction are brought to life by designs that challenge, invigorate and surprise. From sweet sneakers for sultry summer days to boots that turn heads while taking on the tundra, SOREL inspires fashion-forward feet for every season.

 Browse our selection of Sorel shoes here.

In 2004 VIVOBAREFOOT launched and became the first minimalist shoe with a patented, ultra thin puncture resistant sole that offers maximum sensory feedback and maximum protection.

What is the idea behind the VIVOBAREFOOT revolution?

70% of your brain’s information for movement comes from the nerves on the soles of your feet. The more you can feel the ground, the greater your body’s understanding of its surroundings and natural movement.

In 2010, the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Harvard University, both released studies which show support that barefoot running reduces injuries, reserves energy, and improves technique.

As scientific support for barefoot health grows, so does demand for VIVOBAREFOOT and thus, the collection features the most comprehensive line of minimalist shoes on the market. The VIVOBAREFOOT difference is in the sole. We make a series of constructions specifically designed for varying elements, terrains, and activities. From high performance off-road and trail running shoes, to work and kids shoes, VIVOBAREFOOT offers a total lifestyle solution for the whole family and options for transitioning from walking to sports.

VIVOBAREFOOT footwear is produced sustainably using recycled, locally sourced materials, with efficient and eco-friendly production techniques, in independently monitored ethical factories. Sustainable yes, it must also be comfortable and durable in quality and style.

What are the benefits of wearing VIVOBAREFOOT?

Strength  

While naturally strengthening the muscles in your feet, you are also exercising calves, thighs, gluts, the lower back and abdomen, increasing your core strength.

Alignment

As our posture naturally improves, we lessen impact on our knees and hips.

Stimulation

By increasing sensation to all 200,000 nerve endings in your feet, you enhance sensory perception and improve circulation.

Protection

Our patented, puncture resistant sole allows all the benefits of barefoot, with all the protection of normal shoes.

Features

VIVOBAREFOOT additional features:

• Natural leather uppers
• Vegan options available
• Non sweat shop production (independently monitored)
• Recycled, sweat absorbing and antibacterial shoe liner
• Breathable, removable and washable footbed
• Anatomically aligned to the axis of the foot, allowing toes to move; vital for correct foot function.
• Lightweight, flexible design promotes natural, development of all muscle groups in the foot, leading to strong, healthy feet and ankles.

Shop our selection of VIVOBAREFOOT here.

A different kind of shoe company.

When we decided to build shoes we made the conscious choice to follow our own path. We looked long and hard at how shoes were made and saw ways we could do it better.

Shoes should not inhibit you, whether on the trail or in the office. We set out to develop new technologies that enhance your experience, and also leave your feet less fatigued and ready to do it all again tomorrow. Over the years we’ve combined things like our proprietary HyperGrip and IceLock compounds with the best from trusted companies like Gore-Tex and BOA to bring you functionality that lasts.

And we didn’t stop there. We studied the shoe manufacturing process and set out to revolutionize it. By scanning thousands of feet we’ve created a last that… believe this… actually mimics the human foot, and NestFIT was born. With NestFIT your feet have finally found freedom and true comfort, no matter where the day takes you.

Slip into a pair of TrekStas and let your feet be the judge.

The 3D NestFIT last mimics the human foot.

Unnecessary gaps are filled and extra space is allowed in the places your feet need it most. Upper, insole, midsole, and outsole work together in unison to provide unrivaled comfort. Variable density EVA & PU in the insole and midsole offer both cushion and support.

UPPER

The upper is built around a last designed by measuring the curves and contours of 20,000 different feet. The last mirrors the contact points of the leading portion of the big toe, the curve along the other four toes and the indentation of the arch and instep.

LAST

The NestFIT last is designed to account for every contour of the human foot, eliminating unnecessary gaps and pressure points.

INSOLE

The insole matches the curves and contours of the bottom of the foot, eliminating gaps for unmatched comfort. Three different densities of EVA polymer give the correct amount of support to each area of the foot.

MIDSOLE

The variable density midsole compliments the insole to give you that “walking on a cloud” feeling.

The top of the outsole matches the midsole rubber profile for a seamless supportive whole. The slight heel and forefoot “rocker” eases the impact of the initial foot “strike: and suppers the natural progression of the step.

All-year indoor comfort and outdoor protection. Extremely breathable to prevent feet from overheating. Optimum heat conductivity and excellent moisture management ensure all-day climate comfort inside the shoe. Durable waterproof protection stops moisture from seeping in.

Tightness can be fine tuned by dialing in perfect closure force. The Elongated Lace Guides™ provide perfectly distributed closure force across the eyestays. Low friction and the Elongated Lace Guides™ combine to eliminate pressure points and provides a unique glove like fit. Closure is solid. It can’t loosen up or come untied. No more lose shoelace ends. Special Boa laces wind up inside the reel.

TrekSta footwear with IceLock offers the best traction available on ice and snow. Micro-glass filaments are electrostatically aligned in the rubber compound of the sole creating slip-stopping surface tension. The vertically-aligned filaments will be exposed for the life of the sole, ensuring a solid grip as they wear.

Superior traction on dry and wet surfaces. Exceedingly wear resistant. Strong and stable, light and tough. Won’t degrade or discolor.

Browse our selection of Treksta shoes here.

Dardano’s is now a proud retailer of the brand Cushe!

Cushe®, (pronounced ‘Cushy’) was born in the summer of 2004. A brand conceived by a group of footwear designers and enthusiasts, we are an independently thinking, design led footwear brand, based in the UK, offering unique and exciting footwear choices for a dynamic, inspired and confident generation. The Cushe name reflects a way of life that we as a team aspire to and we spend every day refining our art to deliver only the type of shoes that we love to wear ourselves.

Cushe was set up as a direct response to the global brands that dominate the lifestyle footwear market. Our aim is to make something a bit different, unique and set apart from the masses, challenging the boundaries of footwear design rather than following trends set by others.

Ever mindful of the increasing work hours and stress levels of modern living, we strive to create shoes for a lifestyle that is independent and individual, with the freedom to do things our own way, at our own pace. That’s the theory anyway, and we design our shoes with this ideal in mind.

We love detail – the little things you can and can’t see that make our product that extra bit unique and special. Because we have the know-how, we also utilize the latest manufacturing techniques, and the most innovative materials to make our shoes conform to your foot’s natural shape, ensuring comfort, protection and stability. Each shoe’s design is thought through, making sure that only the best components and constructions are used.

Season after season, we’ve strived to challenge our previous collection, to keep bringing fresh and exciting product to the table and we reckon we’ve once again set the bar even higher. Every shoe in our collection reflects the passion, commitment and enthusiasm of the Cushe team. We hope you love everything about our shoes. Go ahead and take a closer look.

Browse our selection of Cushe shoes here.

Founded in 1990, Dansko has been a leader in providing innovative comfort footwear while standing at the forefront of sustainable and ethical business practices. Founded by husband and wife team Mandy Cabot and Peter Kjellerup, Dansko distributes shoes and boots to over 2,800 premium US and international retail locations. Mandy and Peter discovered Dansko’s first product while on a horse-buying trip. They brought a few pairs back home, and right away friends wanted to try the clogs. By the mid 90′s, they sold their horse farm to devote themselves full-time to building the brand Dansko. Today, Dansko’s offerings include sandals, boots, heels, flats, and many types of clogs. Every style features the Dansko DNA- materials and construction carefully selected to promote good foot, leg and back health. Dansko believes that your feet are the foundation and support for your entire life, therefore every shoe they construct is based on the signature rocker bottom sole featured in the original clog that made them famous. Dansko shoes also feature a roomy toe box and a pronounced arch support to maximize all-day comfort. With a large number of styles and colors to choose from, Dansko can bring a little comfort to your life everyday!

The Stapled Clog, the clog that started it all features unique design elements

1. Upper – Highest quality leathers
   Designs follow the natural contours of the foot. Instep collar is generously padded. Upper designs accommodate most foot types.
2. Toe Box – Thermoplastic
   Sturdy reinforcement adds durability and toe protection. Allows toes to move comfortably.
3. Heel Counter – TPU (Thermoplastic urethane)
   Acts as a natural shoehorn. Allows heel to move up and down when walking. Provides lateral stability.
4. Heel Cup
   The drop-in cavity cradles your heel and prevents it from sliding sideways in the shoe.
5. Socklining – Leather Socklining
   Anti-microbial
6. Footbed – Breathable open-cell PU foam
   Absorbs and evaporates perspiration.
7. Inner Frame – Polypropylene
   Provides stability, reduces torque and provides lateral stability.
8. Outsole – Polyurethane
   Rocker-bottom sole propels foot forward when walking. Wider heel for greater stability. Improved compound for shock absorption equal to athletic shoes.

Browse our selection of Dansko products here.

Welcome to the world of Söfft…

where comfort footwear has been redefined™

Söfft Shoe Company® is dedicated to offering women fine, handmade footwear that are both comfortable and fashionable. Söfft is Redefining Comfort® by pioneering a new category of footwear — Fashion Comfort. By combining state-of-the-art comfort features with forward styling that women truly love to wear, Söfft is giving women what they always desired from their footwear — everything.

Söfft’s unique approach is carried through masterfully in a versatile collection of tailored pumps, vibrant sandals and sophisticated boots. No matter the occasion, there is something for every woman in the Söfft Collection.

Shop our selection of Sofft shoes here.